Henrik Pedersen took pride from Sheffield Wednesday’s spirited showing despite sinking to the foot of the Championship table after a 2-1 loss at Charlton.
It capped off another worrying week for the Owls, who are set to be served with a winding up petition by HMRC.
Wednesday had shown signs of mounting a stirring fightback before Ethan Horvath was sent off in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time for clattering Isaac Olaofe outside the penalty area.
Jamal Lowe’s 69th-minute goal set up a frantic finish at The Valley, unsettling a Charlton side that had looked in total control until the hour mark.
Sonny Carey and Reece Burke had put the hosts 2-0 ahead at the interval.
Asked about being rock bottom, Wednesday boss Pedersen said: “We have a little bit bigger perspective – we know it’s a difficult situation.
“How the boys are working and played in the second half has given us all confidence and courage that we can get points in the future and compete with many teams in the Championship.
“But we need to be braver from the first to the last minute – not just after 45 minutes when we are 2-0 down. Then we can do more.
“The first goal was a little present that we gave them. Then we concede shortly before the second half.
“We showed togetherness and a strong culture to keep on working. We had 60 per cent possession and higher expected goals. All the data is in the right direction.
“I said to the boys: ‘Head up, chest up – rest now and we have to be ready again for Wednesday evening’.”
Charlton made it 13 home league wins at The Valley in a calendar year for the first time since 2019.
The Addicks are up to ninth in the table and showing signs that consolidation following League One play-off promotion is not going to be any issue.
Charlton boss Nathan Jones said: “They put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and if I was being really critical then I’d have liked us to have had more control.
“We didn’t play well in the second half but we didn’t stop grafting. We’re difficult to beat.
“I’m delighted we won. You come out of the international break and you never know what you are going to get.
“The first half we were good. We scored two goals and with a little bit more killer instinct we could’ve had more.
“I think the linesman gave it (the foul by Horvath). I’ve got the greatest respect for what is a difficult job but that is one of the easiest decisions you will ever get to see in the world. Not just in football – in the world.
“He (Olaofe) touched it around him and he wiped him clean out.”
